Grow Local Colorado is a group of volunteers dedicated to promoting local food, local community, and local economy.
Why We Do What We Do
We've been growing in our community for the past ten years. We started with one garden in Denver's Civic Center Park and now have eleven gardens throughout our city. On average, our volunteers put in 1,250 hours each season to share thousands of pounds of produce with organizations helping the under-served. Why do we invest so much time and effort? Here are a few reasons:
Many residents of our community lack access to healthy food. In Colorado one in five children are food secure, unsure where their next meal will come from. Children across the board now have a lower life expectancy than their parents. Teaching children how to grow their own food and providing access to that food improves their health and empowers them. Gardeners of all ages eat twice as many fruits and vegetables as non-growers. Food grown locally has more nutrients as the produce is fresher. Just another bonus to local food.
Our food system accounts for 20 to 25% of our carbon footprint. By growing and buying local we are reducing the number of miles our food travels to get to our plates. Farm land also preserves green space close to highly concentrated urban areas. That translates into more biodiversity (increased populations of insects, birds, and microbes), cleaner air and water, and healthier soil.
Our gardens and events create community. On average we have 300 plus volunteers each season help us tend our gardens. Those volunteers not only grow food but they also grow friendships while learning about the needs of their neighbors. We deliver that delicious produce to over a dozen organizations serving those in need. More connections mean a stronger, healthier, happier community.
We've lasted ten years because of our partnering organizations, our volunteers, our business donors and our supporters. As with a garden, we can only grow if we continue receiving that strong support and care. Want to help be a part of this amazing community? Here's our wish list for 2019:
- Volunteers: whether you have only a few hours or can pitch in weekly, we have a spot for you
- Hosting an event: reward our volunteers by donating: food, beverages, gift cards, and/or garden supplies
- Financial donations: tax deductible, always welcomed and needed as they help us purchase: seeds, seedlings, signs, gloves, treats…you get the picture
If you would like additional information, have suggestions or can donate any of the above, contact us at: GrowLocalColorado@gmail.com.
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We have partnered with Beanstalk Foundation and ColoradoGives.org to handle our online donations.
Simply click here to be directed to the secure ColoradoGives.org website and the Beanstalk Foundation donations page. Enter your donation information and be sure to enter Grow Local Colorado under the "Special instructions or comments for nonprofit" section of the form. That's it.... Beanstalk Foundation will receive the funds (tax deductible) and forward the proceeds to Grow Local Colorado to purchase seedlings and supplies. |
Join our Google Group
Grow Local Colorado is no longer sending out email newsletters.
We now have a listserv which will serve as a "Virtual Town Hall" so we can share information with each other!
Come join the fun!
Click the envelope above to send an eMail to join our NEW Google Group
or send an eMail to:
growlocalcolorado+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Questions?
Email: Dana@GrowLocalColorado.org
We now have a listserv which will serve as a "Virtual Town Hall" so we can share information with each other!
Come join the fun!
Click the envelope above to send an eMail to join our NEW Google Group
or send an eMail to:
growlocalcolorado+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Questions?
Email: Dana@GrowLocalColorado.org
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